Forget the reindeer, the mistletoe and even the tree – Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without SPUDS.

The humble roast potato beat turkey, stuffing and Christmas pudding as the most popular food on December 25.

Carrots took the second spot ahead of turkey, gravy, stuffing, ‘pigs in blankets’, parsnips, sprouts, Christmas pud and Yorkshire pudding.

And a survey of 2,000 Brits by Asda, to mark the launch of its Christmas TV advert this week, highlighted December 5th as the day when folk really get into the seasonal swing.

That’s the day most people will first don a Christmas jumper, put up their tree and watch their first Christmas movie.

The average Brit will buy their first present on November 20th and eat their first mince pie on 29th November.

An Asda spokesman said: “Christmas is one of those occasions that doesn’t need messing with too much.

“We’ve done our best this year to make traditional favourites that little bit more special and have won numerous awards for things like our new recipe mince pies, cranberry sauce and festive turkey – all key components for the perfect Christmas.”

The survey, conducted to coincide with the launch of the supermarket’s Christmas TV ads, also pinpoints the day and time most people first start to feel a festive glow – 1.38pm on December 1.

And despite the fact that we live in a fast-moving, high-tech world, most people will be enjoying a traditional Christmas this year.

Over 60 per cent are still sending Christmas cards by mail, pulling crackers and sitting round the telly in the afternoon.

Almost half will dutifully wear the paper hats that pop out of crackers and a third will clear the head with a walk after their Christmas lunch.